WHEN TAMPA BAY HAS THE BALL: Quarterback Trent Dilfer has undergone an evolution. He is the league's leading passer with a 105.8 rating and has completed 62.8 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Warrick Dunn, Reidel Anthony and Horace Copeland, none of whom were on the active roster last year, have added juice to an offense that was 28th in total offense and 30th in scoring last year. Dunn has had 2 100-yard rushing games and a 100-yard receiving game. Anthony has averaged 16.8 yards per catch, and Copeland leads all receivers with 10 catches for 168 yards. Not to be outdone, 2nd-year fullback Mike Alstott has 306 all-purpose yards and a team-leading 4 touchdowns. The Cardinals' defense is 17th, but that number is deceiving. Arizona held the Cowboys without an offensive touchdown and beat up quarterback Troy Aikman, and the next week limited the Redskins to 7 consecutive possessions of 4 plays or less. Defensive tackle Eric Swann (3 sacks, 7 pressures), defensive end Simeon Rice (3 sacks) and cornerback Aeneas Williams (7 passes defensed, 1 interception) are among the best players in the NFL at their positions.

WHEN ARIZONA HAS THE BALL: On paper, this is a lopsided matchup. The Cardinals are tied for 24th in the league in total offense (281 yards per game), including 26th in rushing (86.3). The Bucs are 10th in total defense (300.5), including first against the run (61). 2nd-year running back Leeland McElroy has a paltry 3.0 yards per carry average and his fumble against Washington in overtime ended up costing the Cardinals the game. Receivers Rob Moore (16-231) and Frank Sanders (17-181) are formidable, but quarterback Kent Graham has a hard time getting them the ball. His 68.1 efficiency rating is 23rd in the NFL. The Bucs expect to exploit the Cardinals' patchwork offensive line, especially on the inside. Defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who missed last week's game with a sprained ankle, has 3.5 sacks.

NOTES: Only 10 teams have opened 5-0 in the past 10 seasons, and none since San Diego in 1994. Nine of those 10 teams advanced to the playoffs. . . . The Cardinals hold a 7-6 advantage in the series. . . . The Bucs, who had a record crowd of 73,314 last week, are expecting a crowd of 57,000.